Every time I meet someone new, I wait for this question. I've never had an answer, I still don't. It's at the point now where I usually answer "I hit a bar on a Saturday night, and half a bottle of Jack Daniels later I woke-up in Narita airport. Figured I'd make the best of the situation." Sometimes I throw in some BS about the tight business relationship between Japan and America. I try to mix things up.

I studied Japanese for one year in the states, so that helped -- less than you'd think. I don't want to work in Japan. I don't see my future in Japan. I had a drive to experience life in another country. But why Japan as opposed to, say China? No idea. I've tried to convince myself that having no motivation is the best approach, and having no reason is positive. Emptieness is true-sight, buddah and all that crap. No expectations means a more objective experience, right? My only motivation is curiosity.

Past this, I've decided the only reason I came to Japan, is to stare blankly at people when they ask me this question. Which is at least three times a day.
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